‘Deeply flawed approach’: ABVP slams Bar Council directive against NALSAR graduates’ enrolment

The Bar Council of India’s (BCI) directive telling State Bar Councils not to enrol any of NALSAR University’s 2026 graduates has drawn criticism from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Terming BCI’s approach “deeply flawed,” the ABVP argued that students should not be held accountable for alleged wrongdoing in which they had no role.

Though the BCI withdrew its order hours later on Thursday (August 13, 2026), the initial directive was meant to penalise the graduating batch for their campaign against inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for the university’s convocation due to his comments on last month’s students protest in Delhi.

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The ABVP said the BCI’s initial directive was arbitrary. “Institutions like the BCI must refrain from issuing such arbitrary directions and ensure that every decision is based on facts, due process, a fair inquiry, and justice,” it said in a statement.

BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra on Thursday (August 13, 2026) acknowledged that the Council’s initial decision to restrict the enrolment was taken in haste. He added that following deliberations, the BCI had modified its earlier directive and allowed all students from the 2026 batch to enrol with State Bar Councils of their choice.

Mr. Mishra said that most students were not involved in the alleged misconduct and should not be penalised for the actions of a few.

“The matter had been closed,” he said, adding that the BCI did not want the issue to lead to a confrontation between students and the judiciary.